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Bayern Munich confirm Lewandowski wants to leave

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Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Dynamo Kyiv in Munich, southern Germany, on September 29, 2021. CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP

Robert Lewandowski banged in his 35th league goal on the final day of the Bundesliga season Saturday as Bayern Munich confirmed their top-scoring striker wants to leave, amid reports he could join Barcelona this summer.

Lewandowki scored for the Bundesliga champions in a 2-2 draw at Wolfsburg.

Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic insists Lewandowski will play for them next season, pointing out: “‘Lewy’ has a contract until June 2023.”

But German media outlets claim the 33-year-old has refused to sign an extension and wants to join Barcelona for next season.

Salihamidzic confirmed that Lewandowksi wants to leave. “During conversations, he informed me that he did not want to accept our offer to extend the contract and would like to leave,” he said.

A crisp Lewandowski header from a Thomas Mueller cross put Bayern 2-0 up after defender Josip Stanisic netted his first Bundesliga goal for the visitors.

Wolfsburg clawed their way back as Danish forward Jonas Wind scored, then veteran striker Max Kruse levelled for the hosts.

Erling Haaland signed off his final appearance for second-placed Borussia Dortmund in a 2-1 home win over Hertha Berlin.

The Norwegian star is set to complete a long-awaited move to Manchester City for next season.

Haaland equalised from the penalty spot in the second half to cancel out Ishak Belfodil’s early goal for Hertha at Signal Iduna Park.

Dortmund’s 17-year-old striker Youssoufa Moukoko came off the bench and grabbed the winner, just seconds after replacing Axel Witsel.

Haaland applauded home fans after the final whistle while Dortmund also said goodbye to sports director Michael Zorc.

The defeat pushed Hertha into 16th, which means a two-legged relegation play-off against the team which finishes third in the second division, currently Hamburg.

“The boys are totally exhausted and worked up,” said Hertha sports director Fredi Bobic.

“They must now have the belief to pull it together in these two games.”

Endo rescues Stuttgart

There were dramatic scenes in Stuttgart where Japan midfielder Wataru Endo scored a stoppage-time winner to seal a 2-1 win over Cologne.

The win saw Stuttgart claw their way to 15th and guaranteed survival next season.

Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic made amends for having a first-half penalty saved by heading in the resulting corner 26 seconds later.

Cologne equalised when veteran French striker Anthony Modeste headed in his 20th goal of the season until Endo struck.

Stuttgart fans stormed the pitch at the final whistle to kick off the celebrations.

“It feels good, but I have a sore head from all the shouting and celebrating,” said head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo.

“It was a great moment. I’m so happy for the boys. You never forget a moment like today.”

Cologne finish seventh to qualify for the Europa Conference League.

Union Berlin will play in the Europa League next season after finishing fifth after Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi netted twice to seal a 3-2 win.

Union raced into a 2-0 lead as Grischa Proemel gave the hosts an early lead before Awoniyi converted a penalty.

Bochum roared back as Simon Zoller headed in a goal, then Eduard Loewen levelled before Awoniyi grabbed a late winner.

Freiburg finished sixth and punched their Europa League ticket despite losing 2-1 at Bayer Leverkusen, whose Argentinian defender Exequiel Palacios scored the winner seven minutes into stoppage time.

Arminia Bielefeld joined Greuther Fuerth in being relegated from Germany’s top flight despite a 1-1 draw at RB Leipzig, who finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League.

Germany midfielder Jonas Hofmann scored twice as Borussia Moenchengladbach thrashed Hoffenheim 5-1.

Brazil defender Tutu and Colombia striker Rafael Borre hit the net as Eintracht Frankfurt tuned up for Wednesday’s Europa League final against Rangers with a 2-2 draw at Mainz.

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Politics

‎Oyo: Oseni Supports Gbagi/Ogunpa Traders With N50m, 5 Boreholes, 200 Solar Lights

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• rallies support for Tinubu, APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has supported traders at Gbagi/Ogunpa Market in Ibadan with a N50m grant, five boreholes and 200 solar-powered lights.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, announced the interventions during an enlarged meeting with the leadership and members of 11 traders’ associations in the market on Tuesday.

According to the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the N50m grant was to strengthen the traders’ businesses and helping them cope with the challenges affecting their businesses.

‎The lawmaker said the five boreholes would improve access to water in the market, while the 200 solar lights would enhance security and trading activities. He added that the lights were also part of his support for the traders’  ‘Light Up Ogunpa’ initiative.

Oseni urged the traders to support President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates, saying the Federal Government’s economic reforms were aimed at addressing some of the challenges confronting the country.

He cited the removal of fuel subsidy, the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and increased investment in infrastructure as some of the measures being implemented to redirect resources to areas with wider social and economic benefits.

“Some of these reforms have come with sacrifices, but we must also look at what they are intended to achieve. Resources that were tied down can now be deployed to infrastructure, education and other areas that directly affect the people,” Oseni said.

The APC chieftain also said the reforms in the foreign exchange market had addressed the previous multiple-rate system, adding that periods of relative stability showed that the measures were beginning to address some of the distortions in the system.

“We may not have reached where we want to be, but there have been changes. The foreign exchange market has been reformed, and now the benefits of these reforms are gradually reaching ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

The traders, represented by the leader of the Footwear Dealers Association of Oyo State, Elder Kolawole Alabi, and the President of the First Gbagi Ogunpa Joint Traders Association, Olaitan Adams, commended Oseni for the interventions.

They described the engagement as significant, saying it demonstrated that the lawmaker understood the challenges confronting traders and small business owners.

The traders pledged their support for Oseni, Tinubu and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

 Contained in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists, the lawmaker stressed that the intervention was part of his  continued engagement with traders, artisans and other stakeholders across Oyo South.

‎The statement added that Oseni would continue to support initiatives capable of improving livelihoods and strengthening grassroots businesses, maintaining that  effective representation must produce tangible benefits for the people.

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‎Rep Oseni Gives Ibadan Motor Parts Dealers N90m Support, Donates 100 Solar Lights

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Aderemi Oseni, has unveiled a N90 million support package for motor parts dealers at the Araromi Gate Market in Ibadan, Oyo State.

‎Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, announced the intervention on Saturday during an engagement with traders at the market.

‎The package comprises a N50 million interest-free revolving loan and a N40 million grant for traders operating in the four major sections of the market — car, lorry, tyre and iron.

‎In addition to the financial support, Oseni donated 100 solar-powered streetlights to the market and pledged to take responsibility for the monthly salaries of the market’s Baale and chiefs.

‎The lawmaker said the intervention was designed to strengthen the businesses of the traders and improve their contribution to the local economy.

He said, “The motor parts dealers are critical drivers of the local economy. We must continue to support them so that they can expand their businesses, improve their livelihoods and contribute more to the economy.”

‎Oseni explained that the N50 million revolving loan would be provided without interest, while the N40 million grant would serve as an empowerment package for traders across the four sections of the market.

‎He said the provision of solar-powered streetlights was also intended to improve security and extend the conducive environment for commercial activities within the market.

‎The APC candidate further called on the traders to continue supporting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the Federal Government’s reforms were beginning to produce positive results.

‎He also appealed for the support of the traders for APC candidates in the state, expressing confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the forthcoming elections.

‎Earlier, the Chairman of Araromi Gate Market Motor Parts Dealers, Alhaji Ojo Azeez, commended Oseni for his contributions to the development of Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.

‎Azeez said the traders had confidence in Oseni’s leadership and ability to fulfil his promises.

‎“We believe in your achievements so far. By the grace of Almighty God, you shall defeat your opponents hands down,” he said.

‎The chairmen of the four sections of the market also pledged their support for Oseni, President Tinubu and other APC candidates.

‎The meeting was attended by the Baale of the market, Alhaji Raimi Ewebiyi, as well as leaders and representatives of the various groups and sections within the market.

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Oyo APC: Makinde Would Have Sold Nigeria If He Were President

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The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has launched a fresh attack on Governor Seyi Makinde, saying Nigeria was fortunate not to have elected him President in 2023, alleging that he would have “sold the country to interested buyers” for personal gain.

The opposition party made the claim while responding to Makinde’s recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, which the governor reportedly described as ill-conceived during the unveiling of candidates of the Allied People’s Movement for the 2027 elections in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday.

Makinde, who was represented at the event, also declared his determination to ensure that the APC is voted out of power in the 2027 general election.

Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Oyo APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, dismissed the governor’s remarks, insisting that no amount of criticism would persuade Nigerians to replace President Tinubu with Makinde.

The party said Tinubu’s record, experience and leadership credentials were far superior to those of the Oyo governor, adding that Makinde’s political ambition for the presidency stood little chance in 2027.

“The difference between President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde in terms of experience, reputation and results is like the distance between heaven and earth. No amount of warped criticism or shadow boxing will make Nigerians choose a failed governor over a performing President,” the statement read.

The APC further argued that although Tinubu’s economic reforms had attracted criticism in some quarters, they had also received commendation from international financial institutions and development partners, who, according to the party, acknowledged the administration’s efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s economy.

 

It also accused the Makinde administration of failing to translate increased federal allocations into meaningful development in Oyo State, alleging that the state had little to show in critical areas such as infrastructure, security and job creation.

The party further alleged that Makinde had transferred many of the state’s assets to private interests, claiming that if he had been President, he would have considered selling national assets as a solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges.

“As a matter of fact, Governor Makinde would have considered selling Nigeria as the best option if he had been President and faced with the challenges President Tinubu inherited in 2023. Nigerians will never make the mistake of entrusting him with the country’s mandate,” Sadare stated.

The APC maintained that President Tinubu remained focused on repositioning the country despite prevailing economic difficulties and expressed confidence that Nigerians would renew the party’s mandate in the 2027 general election.

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